India batsman Abhishek Sharma says lack of quick adaptation to a new format is what played a big part in the shocking loss in the first T20 of the Chings series against Ireland in Belfast.
Ireland scripted history to beat India 34 runs and their first-ever win out of 10 against the T20 world champions in any format. A spirited effort from Abhishek helped the hosts hold off a spirited India effort to post a moroch 182/9 in the 52 overs, bowing out of the contest for 148 in 18.5 balls.
After the game, Abhishek emphasized the need for quick adaptations, especially on a hectic international tour where teams have too few practice sessions.
The important thing is how much faster you adapt to the conditions as a team, especially if playing back-to-back, when you have to adapt as a dominant team quickly. That, we were trying to do today, but it didn’t work out that way”, Abhishek said.
The 24-year-old was played the ball with the greatest clout scoring 50 runs off only 20 deliveries from the bat. But a bunch of twinkle-twinkle, little stars who graced the Indian batting line-up did not cause any trouble for disciplined Irish bowling.
Captain Lorcan Tucker set Ireland on course to the memorable victory with an assured half century before the bowlers did the rest. Three each was picked up by left-arm spinner Matthew Humphreys and pacer Matt Hollard as debutant Jai Moondra impressed with a four-overs 2/25.
India will now try to pick up the pieces in the balance of the series, whilst Ireland will seek to capitalise on one of their finest wins in cricket history.